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Christie speech irks GOP lawmaker

NJ Sen. Michael Doherty, who represents parts of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties, said the Gov. Chris Christie's speech illustrated how Christie's interest in running for president is bad for New Jersey.

TRENTON Republican Gov. Chris Christie's State of the State speech was not a big hit with everybody in his own party.

State Sen. Michael Doherty, who represents parts of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties, said Wednesday the speech illustrated how Christie's interest in running for president is bad for New Jersey.

"Gov. Christie was hired by the people of New Jersey because they recognized a particular skill in him and that was to fight corruption and break up the status quo,'' Doherty said in an interview. "Initially Gov. Chrisite started down that road but he's been diverted by this national ambition and this quest for the White House.''

Doherty said the speech was intended for a national audience and offered little promise of help for "suburban New Jersey, which is struggling.''

"It was crystallized for me (Tuesday) when he's holding up Camden County as an icon when most observers have recognized Camden County government as being not particularly careful with how they spend some money and having some corruption in their government. I represent a suburban rural district. We've been told for decades that if we help the cities, good days will be right around the corner. I don't see any evidence of this situation ever ending.''

Though other Republican state lawmakers have avoided criticizing Christie's speech, Doherty said discontent is building.

"I think there are a lot of Republican legislators who have similar feelings but for whatever reason are keeping their mouths shut. Maybe it's fear. Maybe it's from wanting to stay on the good side of the governor's people to help get things done for constiuents. But you have to speak the truth,'' he said.

Christie was in South Carolina Thursday on a political trip. His press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.